Target device



C. P. YOUNCE June 5, 1962 TARGET DEVICE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 11,1960 NW SN Charles Xounce INVENTOR. @5 01.

BY 2am June 5 1962 c. P. YOUNCE 3,037,776

TARGET DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1960 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Charles R Younce 1NVENTOR.

BY m. 15%

C. P. YOUNCE June 5, 1962 TARGET DEVICE Filed Jan. 11, 1960 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Chaes I? Younce INVENTOR.

BY w

States 3,037,776 TARGET DEVICE Charles P. Yonnce, 3209 Madison Ave.,

Claims. (Cl. 273182) The present invention generally relates to a targetdevice or practicing device which may be effectively employed indoors oroutdoors for use by persons engaged in causing a ball or the like to beprojected including a novel mechanism for controlling and returning aball fiom the time it leaves the projecting area until it reaches thetarget area and returns.

The primary object of the present invention is to provide a targetdevice in which control of the driven ball is maintained from the timethe ball leaves the projection area until it is delivered back to thearea for reuse.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a target devicewhich substantially eliminates noise usually made by a ball striking atarget and more importantly eliminating rebound or bounce of the ballupon striking of the target.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a target whichwill absorb impact of the ball when it strikes the target and will causethe ball to drop substantially straight down without any bounce orrebound.

Yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a ground orfloor level shelf or trough connected to the target which provides meansfor returning the ball to a ball return device by the action of gravitywith the ball return device then being automatically operated by theball and capable of returning the ball to the projection area, thereturned ball immediately and automatically turning off the ball returndevice.

A further important object of the present invention is to provide atarget incorporating a ball return device employing a pneumatic suctionwhich will return the ball to the projection area and automaticallydischarge the ball into a container within convenient reach of theperson using the target, the return of the ball serving to automaticallystop the ball return device to eliminate the noise thereof during thetime in which the person is concentrating on accurately projecting theball.

The present invention is capable of use in many orientations but forpurposes of illustration, the invention has been disclosed as a targetdevice for golf balls. However, it could be employed and is readilyadapted to use as a catcher or target for a pitcher pitching baseballssuch as would occur when the pitcher warms up or when he is merelypracticing for gaining accurate control of the ball, and for eliminationof the catcher when used as a batting cage during batting practice. Ineither instance, the ball return device will instantly return the ballto the area from which it was projected. Further, the device could beused as a batting practice device in which the batter would stand in theprojection area and the balls could be thrown by a suitable pitchingmachine automatically receiving the return balls from the target area.In the particular use disclosed, the invention enables the golfer toconcentrate on the various factors necessary when driving the golf ballsince the ball return device will be automatically turned off wherebyall noise will cease during the time that the person using the deviceactually addresses and drives the golf ball.

Other important objects of the present invention are to provide a golftarget which is substantially permanent in construction, easy to set up,adapted to indoor and outdoor use, light and easily movable from placeto place, compact in form and easy to ship, neat in appear- 3,937,775Patented June 5, 1962 ice ance for both private and commercial use andgenerally inexpensive to manufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will subsequentlybecome apparent reside in the details of construction and operation asmore fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like numerals referto like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of the target device of the presentinvention with parts broken away;

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the ball returne suctiondevice with portions being shown in section illustrating the structurethereof;

FIGURE 3 is a detailed sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 3-3 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the structure ofthe air intake for the suction fan which enables the balls to continueto the container by the momentum thereof with no interruption to theirpath of movement;

FIGURE 3-a is a view similar to FIGURE 3 but illustrating a modifiedform of intake for the suction fan;

FIGURE 4 is a detailed sectional view of the target area illustratingthe structural details thereof;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the trough illustrating the detailsthereof;

FIGURE 6 is a front view of another form of target area illustrating adifferent arrangement of openings in the target member;

FIGURE 7 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 7-7 of FIGURE 6 illustrating the details ofconstruction of this form of target;

FIGURE 8 is a front plan view of another target form illustratinganother orientation of openings therein;

FIGURE 9 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 9-9 of FIGURE 8 illustrating the structuraldetails of this form of the invention;

FIGURE 10 is a front elevational view of another form of the targetillustrating a bulls eye arrangement with axially spaced openings ofdiminishing diameter;

FIGURE 11 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 11-11 of FIGURE 10 illustrating furtherstructural details of this form of the invention; and

FIGURE 12 is a detailed view showing a putting cup.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10 generallydesignates the target or practicing device of the present inventionwhich is illustrated as a golf target or practice device and includes atone end thereof, a target area generally designated by the numeral 12and, at the other end thereof a tee area or driving area generallydesignated by the numeral 14. The tee area includes a ball returnmechanism generally designated by the numeral 16 that includes anelongated tube or pipe 18 extending from the tee area 14 to the targetarea 12.

Referring now specifically to FIGURE 2, it is pointed out that the ballreturn mechanism includes a generally rectangular container 20' of wiremesh construction which is conveniently supported on corner legs 22which may be of angle iron construction. In one end wall of thecontainer, there is provided an inwardly swingable trap door 24 toprovide access to golf balls 26 within the container 20. The other endof the container 20 is connected 'With the discharge end of the suctiontube 18 with the discharge end being designated by the numeral 27. Aswinga-ble trap door 28 is mounted for closing the discharge end 27 ofthe suction tube 18 with the trap door 28 being relatively light inconstruction and pivotally supported by a switch 30 whereby a golf ball26 entering the container will strike the trap door 28 and cause it ing78 corresponding with the 3 to be opened due to the momentum of the golfball 26 thus actuating the switch 30.

Connected to the suction tube 18 in spaced relation to the discharge end27 thereof and generally at a point in which the tube curves upwardly isan intake conduit 32 connected to a fan housing 34 at the center thereofwhich includes the usual impeller 36 with -a tangential discharge 38 andalso a driving motor 40 which receives power from a suitable electricalconduit or conductors 42. The fan may be of any conventionalconstruction but is preferably of a squirrel cage type in whichsufficient vacuum will be induced in the line'18 to suck the golf balls26 from the target area 12 back to the container 20 with the speed andmomentum of the golf balls 26 carrying the golf balls 26 up the inclinedportion of the return pipe 18 and thus into the container 20 by virtueof the trap door 28 being open. In view of the length of the tube 18,the suction provided in the tube 18 while the golf ball is being drawntowards the fan will of course, cause a suction within the discharge 27of the tube but since the air in the tube 18 behind the ball or betweenthe ball 18 and the inlet end of the pipe 18 is atmospheric, as soon asthe ball 18 passes-the inlet of the conduit 32, then the suctionprovided by the pump is broken and the momentum of the golf ball 26 willcause the golf ball 26 to proceed up the incline and open the trap doorand drop into the container 20.

FIGURE 3 illustrates the orientation and construction of the inlet ofthe intake conduit 32 which joins to the conduit or pipe 18 in acuteangular relationship. This opening is partially closed by a plurality oflongitudinal bars 44 which leaves a plurality of slit-like openings 46for entrance of air but the bars 44 will prevent entry of the golfballs. The bars 44 are arranged so that there will be no interruption ofthe surface contact of the ball 26 with the pipe so that the ball willcontinue to freely roll along the pipe.

FIGURE 3-a illustrates a modified form of invention in which the pipe18' is provided with a plurality of slit like openings 48 therein whichform an air inlet for the conduit 32 whereby the surface of the interiorof the pipe 18' will not be interrupted so that the ball may roll freelyalong such surface without interruption.

The teeing area 14 includes a simulated grass area 50 having a circularteeing area 52 which may have a tee incorporated therein for positioninga golf ball'26 for striking with a golf club 54 in the usual manner fordriving it towards the target area and the target generally designatedby the numeral 12.

As illustrated in FIGURE 4, the target 12 generally in cludes avertically disposed panel centrally disposed aperture 58 therein withthe front surface of the panel 56 being covered with a relatively thickcushion 60 of cellular resilient material such as foam rubber or foamplastic which will absorb the impact of the driven golf ball 26 withoutany rebound or bounce being imparted to the golf ball 26. In otherWords, when the golf ball 26 engages the cushion 60, the golf ball will.drop substantially in a vertical manner downwardly to the bottom of thetarget area. Projecting from the panel 56 towards the teeing area is atop wall 62 and side Walls 64 preferably constructed of screen meshmaterial so that any golf balls that are badly aimed will still beguided into contact with the cushion 60 on the panel 56. The panel 56 isprovided with a generally rectangular hollow enclosure formed by a panel72 which encloses the enlarged aperture or opening 58 and has a rearwall or panel 74 spaced rearwardly therefrom. The entire inner surfaceof the panel 72 and the rear wall 74 is covered with a cushion 76equivalent to the cushion'60 for cushioning a golf ball When it passesthrough the opening 58 into the area enclosed by panels 72 and 74. Notethat the cushion 60 also is provided with an open- Opening 58 in thepanel 56 having an enlarged.

through the trough 84 into the edge of the trough or ramp 92 is flushwith 56 thus permitting unobstructed passage of the golf ball 26 throughthe target panel 56 into the area defined by panels 72 and 74 so that itwill come in contact with the cushion 76 wherein it will drop straightdown to engage an inclined bottom surface 80 defined by the bottom ofthe panel 72 and the bottom of the cushion 76. The panel 56 and thecushion are provided with an opening 32 at the lower end of the inclinedsurface 80 whereby golf balls 26 being projected through the openings 58and 78 will drop down and be discharged back out through the opening 82onto the area forwardly of the target panel 56.

Supporting and detachably connected to the lower end of the target 12 isa trough or shelf assembly generally designated by the numeral 84 whichincludes a downwardly inclined ramp @2. which is in the form of a plateand extends rearwardly and downwardly towards the target panel 56. Theside edges of the ramp 92 adjacent target 56 are also downwardly andinwardly inclined towards the center. Inclined side edges 94 areintegral with the ramp 92 whereby the ramp 92 and the side edges 94generally cooperate to form a trough or shelf for directing all of thegolf balls landing thereon towards the center thereof immediatelyforwardly'of the target panel 56 and cushion 60. In the center of thetrough assembly 84 there is provided slot 96 extendingto the rear edgethereof for discharge of all of the golf balls inlet adapter 98 for the.suction tube 18. Thus, all of the golf balls will be caused to enter theopening 96 for subsequent discharge through the suction tube 18.

The rear edges of the inclined side edges 94 are each provided withrearwardly extending and upturned brackets 100 for detachable engagementwith the panel 56 thussupporting the panel 56 and the entire targetassembly.

In the inlet adapter 98 there is provided a switch mechanism 102 havinga hair trigger 103- which is responsive to engagement by a golf ball,the switch mechanism 102 is part of a three-way switch which alsoincludes switch 30 for operating the fan motor 40. Thus, as a golf ball'26 drops into switch 102 will be closed thus activating the motor 40for automatically returning the golf ball to the tee area and into thecontainer 20.

The various components of the target may be constructed of metal orplastic and the ball return may be of suitable pipe construction whichmay also be metal or plastic and the size of the opening of the inletadapter may be such that any out or otherwise damaged golf balls willnot enter the suction pipe to prevent clogging thereof. The troughassembly 84 is inset or depressed in the floor surface or ground surfaceso that the frontal the ground surface or the floor surface. This willassure that any balls rolling along the floor or ground surface and ontothe trough will be return to the drivers tee-off station.

For indoor use, the tee area 52 is of sponge rubber or other suitablematerial and when the device is used outdoors, such ending flush withthe edge of the trough or ramp 92.

This indoor carpet surface of simulated fairway may be artificial grasswith that portion adjacent the target area simulating a green. Thevarious dimensions of the components of the invention may be altered asdesired and a scoring mechanism may also be provided for registering thescores obtained by the various golfers with the scoring mechanism beingespecially adapted for use with the targets illustrated in FIGURES 6-11of the drawings.

In each form of the invention illustrated in FIGURES 6-11, the troughstructure 84 will remain the same and will not be described. The onlystructural change is in the inlet adapter 98, the

the target panel 56 and, of course, the cushioning material 60 and thestructure behind the panel 56.

In FIGURE 6, the target member is generally designated by the numeral104 in which the target panel 106 is provided with a pair ofside-by-side enlarged apertures 108 with there being a single aperture110 above and disposed centrally of the enlarged aperture 108. Each ofthe apertures 108 is provided with an enclosure 112 disposed behind theaperture 108 and the aperture 110 is provided with an enclosure 114disposed behind this aperture. All of the enclosures are provided with acushion lining 116. Extending downwardly from the enclosure 114 is atubular passageway or pipe 118 and extending inwardly from theenclosures 112 is a tubular passageway or pipe 120 all of which connectat the discharge opening 122 in the panel 106 for discharging the golfballs back onto the trough or shelf assembly for subsequent discharge inthe same manner as in the device shown in FIGURES 4 and 5.

Referring now to FIGURES 8 and 9, the form of the target illustrated inthese two figures of the drawings is designated generally by the numeral124 and this form of the target includes a target panel 126 having acentrally disposed enlarged opening 128 and two smaller openings 130located in the upper corners thereof and two openings 132 yet smallerthan the openings 139 disposed below the openings 130 and to one side ofthe lower portion of the opening 128. Disposed behind all of theopenings 128, 130 and 132 is an enlarged enclosure 134 provided with acushioning material 136 on the inner surface thereof so that any golfball entering any of the target openings will be cushioned anddischarged to the bot-tom of the enclosure for passage downwardly andinwardly through an opening 138 in the panel 126. The opening 138 iscommunicated with the arcuate lower edge of the enclosure 134 by adepending centrally disposed offset portion 140 of the enclosure asillustrated in FIGURE 8. When the golf balls are discharged back throughthe opening 138, they are collected and proceed to the intake end of thesuction tube in the usual manner.

Referring now specifically to FIGURES l and 11, the form of the targetdesignated in these two figures of the drawings are defined by thenumeral 142 which includes a panel 144 having an enlarged opening 146therein. Located behind the panel 144 is a plurality of enclosures 148,150, 152, and 154. The enclosure 148 is provided with an opening 156,the enclosure 150 is provided with an opening 158, the enclosure 152 isprovided with an opening 160 and the enclosure 154 is provided with asolid rear wall 162. All of the enclosures and walls are provided withcushioning material 164 and the panel 144 is provided with an opening166 therein below the enlarged opening 146 and the panel 148 is providedwith an opening 168 below the opening 165, the enclosure 150 is providedwith an opening 17%) below the opening 158 and the enclosure 152 isprovided with an opening 172 below the opening 160. The openings 146,156, 158 and 168 progressively diminish in diameter thereby providing asubstantially bulls eye effect for forming a target for the golf ballwhereby the accuracy of the golf ball will determine how far into thetarget the golf ball will go. All of the golf balls will drop to thebottom of the particular enclosure in which it stops and will then fallforwardly through the openings 172, 170, 168 and 166. With this form ofthe invention, as well as the forms illustrated in FIGURES 6-9, ascoring device may be readily associated for determining the particularenclosure in which the golf ball lands thus registering a scoreaccordingly.

As shown in FIGURE 1 a mesh curtain wall 64 and ceiling 62 extend in theform of a tunnel for containing widely driven balls on the fairway anddeflecting them toward the target panel 56 and onto shelf or troughassembly 84. A frontal frame 178 is provided and to each top corner ofthe frontal frame 178 a wire 180 is fastened. Each wire is extended tautto its corresponding top corner of target panel 56, from which pointanchor wires 181 are connected and anchored at a center point in theground in the rear of target panel 56, thereby making fast the positionof the target and sustaining the curtain in position from the tee to thetarget. Frontal frame 178 is sustained in rigid position by inclinedbraces 182 or extension 183 of wire 180 which extends from the corner offrame 178 and are flared outwardly to a ground anchor. A side wallcurtain 184 is supported from extensions 183.

The frame 178 is of light stainless steel, aluminum or other inexpensivesmall pipe, the ground end of which is sleeved over a stable metal stakedriven in the ground. The type of mesh curtain used is of such lightweight that employment of support braces between tee area end and targetarea is unnecessary, thus eliminating an obstruction that might causeback bouncing balls. For putting and chip shots the retainer curtain maybe drawn out from target any desired distance.

The foregoing description of target, frame and method of sustaining thewall curtain covers set-up of target for outdoor or lawn use. Indoors,the frame, curtain suspension by sustaining wire, brace and anchors areunnecessary. The target and ball return mechanism alone are movedindoors. The target rests on a T base that holds it in a verticalposition and no bracing or sustain ing support is required. Merely moveit indoors, set it up, unroll the artificial fairway from tee station tofrontal edge of container trough, hang a side Wall container curtainfrom ceiling, where necessary and play golf.

The target patterns or target front wall may be changeable by merelyreplacing removable discs in target intake openings, thereby eliminatingthe necessity of having a separate front Wall for each target pattern.

The mesh curtains 62 and 64 are moved along the wires 180 by virtue of adraw cord or string 176 supported by pulleys 174 at each corner thereofwhich act somewhat in the nature of a drapery or stage curtain in thatthe mesh screen members 62 and 64 may be drawn longitudinally of thesupport wires 180 by virtue of attachment of the free edge of the wiremesh curtain walls to the line 174. The netting suspended on the tightlydrawn wires enables the person to draw and collapse the curtain againstthe target when not in use and, when desiring to use the target fordriving, a player merely reverses the pull of the cord which draws thenetting back into position as illustrated in FIGURE 1 thus forming acomplete tunnel. This is simply done by having four pulleys, one at eachtop corner of the frontal frame 178 and the target panel 56. The endlessloop of cord 174 along each suspension wire operates through the pulleyswith the frontal frame end of the netting being fastened to the loop.This may be accomplished by a small hook fastened to the cord so thatwhen the cord is pulled to collapse the netting against the target, thehook follows along the suspension wire gathering the netting andcollapsing same against the target. When the pull is reversed, thenetting is drawn back in extended position ready for use of target fordriving. Thus, this will enable the target to be used for short chipshots by a mere pull of the curtain collapsing cord '174. This curtaincollapsing facility also makes the target compact for coveringprotection when used outdoors and prevents the target from beingunsightly when used on a lawn.

The present invention has many uses including the uses as previously setforth in that a pitcher may warm up by pitching baseballs towards thetarget in which case the baseballs will be automatically returned to thepitching position or mound which would be the projection area. Also, thedevice may be used as a batting practice device in that the ball returnmechanism would return the batted balls back to the projection areawhich would be the area from which the balls are batted.

The cushion or back stop 60 being constructed of cellular material hasmany cavities in its face. The golf ball also has cavities in the formof dimples on the surface thereof. When the golf ball hits the cushion60, a vacuum is produced by collapse of the cells of the cushion andsuch vacuum actually grips the ball and causes the ball to stop andbecome adhered somewhat to the surface of the cushion. This isaccomplished by the combination of the vacuum caused bythe dimples onthe golf ball and the vacuum caused by the cells in the cellularmaterial thus preventing rebound of the golf ball or other ball employedwith the device.

The switch 102 is part of a three-Way switch system together with theswitch 30 on the ball return receptacle 20 which will enable the ballreturn mechanism to be automatically cut on and automatically cut off ormanually cut on and off by virtue of the switch 30.

The wire cage and wire netting are made in separate sections so thatthey may be easily shipped and so that any part can be used to theexclusion of the other. For example, if only one side of the wirecurtain is required, this can be employed as may become necessary ordesirable.

In FIGURE 12, there is illustrated at putting cup 190' on the fairwaynear the from center of the shelf for use when the device is assembledoutdoors. This cup may be in addition to the shelf or trough 84 or maytake the place thereof with the lawn itself being inclined in the formof members 92 and 94.

Also, the end of conduit 32. where it joins tube 18 may be provided witha wire mesh screen of a size not to obstruct flow of air but willeliminate trash or foreign objects. Such objects will not be drawn intothe fan but will be thrown out of the end of tube 18 by halls passingoutwardly therefrom. This will prevent fouling of the fan if foreignmaterial accidentally gets into tube 18.

The suspension wires 180 have a total weight of less than one pound,netting about four pounds, motor about three pounds, and targetrelatively light depending upon type of materials employed.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed. H

What is claimed as new is as follows: a r

1. A target assembly comprising a' projection area and a target area andmeans for returning a ball from the target area to the projection area,said target area including a generally vertically disposed target panel,a plurality of mesh panels extending from the target area towards theprojection area for guiding a ball towards the target panel, aninclinedmember extending from the bottom of the-target panel toward theprojection area and, inclined downwardly toward the target panel, theedges of said inclined member adjacent the target panel also inclininginwardly and towards the center, said downwardly inclined member havingan opening adjacent the center thereof, said ball return means includingpneumatic propulsion means communicating with the opening for moving aball from the target area to the projection area for reuse, said ballreturn means including an elongated pipe, a suction fan communicatedwith the pipe, a portion of the pipe communicated wth the suction fancurving upwardly, a reticulated container receiving balls from the 10pipe, a flap valve on the discharge end of the pipe for closing thedischarge end of the pipe for creating a suc tion in the pipe forsucking balls from the target area, means forming a part of the pipeconnecting the pipe to the suction of the fan permitting passage of airbut preventing passage of the ball and providing a continuous surfacewith the interior of the pipe whereby the ball will continue to roll upthe incline of the pipe due to the momentum of the ball thus dischargingitself into the reticulated container by opening the flap valve.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said connection betweenthe suction pipe and the intake of the fan is provided with a pluralityof longitudinal bars defining air entrance slits.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said connection betweenthe suction pipe and the intake of the fan includes a plurality ofslit-like openings in the peripheral surface of the pipe therebypermitting passage of air and permitting rolling engagement of the ballwith the interior of the pipe.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein a pair of parallel wiremembers supports the mesh panels, and means connected with the panelsfor collapsing the panels to an area adjacent the target panel andreturning the mesh panels to extended position thereby forming sub- 5stantially a tunnel for the golf ball.

5. The structure defined in claim 1 wherein said target panel is coveredwith a cushioning material, said panel and cushioning material having alarge opening therein forming a target, an enclosure disposed rearwardlyof the 40 panel for receiving golf balls passing through the openingtherein, said enclosure having a downwardly and forwardly inclinedbottom wall, and a relatively small open- .ing in the panel adjacent thebottom wall of the enclosure and in alignment with the lowest pointtherein for dis- 5 charging golf balls from the enclosure back onto theinclined member at the bottom of the target panel.

References Cited in the file of this patent 5 UNITED STATES PATENTS1,469,130 Whitehair Sept. 25, 1923 1,669,640 Warlick -2. May 15, 19281,771,466 Scanlan July 29, 1930 1,931,841 Evans Oct. 24, 1933 2,054,079Ham Sept. 15, 1936 2,301,767 Willingham Nov. 10, 1942 2,793,636 Cook May28, 1957

